You cannot consume marijuana in Delaware for leisure. The Small Wonder state is not so wonderful for the cannabis activists, and until recently didn’t pay much heed to any concrete policy reforms. However, the presence of fresh faces in the Delaware General Assembly is changing the state’s political climate.
The following passages will elaborate on the marijuana and CBD laws of Delaware.
Recreational Marijuana
As of early 2019, adult-use marijuana is banned in Delaware, and even carrying an insignificant quantity can land you a $100 fine. The House Bill 110, which could’ve legalized and regulated recreational cannabis was struck down at the 149th General Assembly in June 2018. Although the enactment of SB 197 has decriminalized first-time convictions for small possessions – an intent to distribute is still a felony and will incarcerate the guilty for up to 8 years.
However, the state of affairs is shifting for the better with complete legalization of marijuana slated to be debated at the 150th Delaware General Assembly. This change of heart is due to the presence of a lot of fresh faces – 15 out of 62 members – at the General Assembly.
Such legalization is estimated to yield $67 million in revenue by the year 2022.
Medical Marijuana
Delaware opened its 1st medical marijuana dispensary in June 2015, in Wilmington. The state qualifies you as a patient if you’re being treated for any of the following critical conditions:
- Seizures
- Cancer
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Nausea
- Cachexia
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Hepatitis C
- Autism
- HIV/AIDS
- Intractable epilepsy
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
- Persistent muscle spasms
- Chronic pain
As of 2018, there are about 3,300 registered patients in Delaware, who are legally allowed to carry up to 6 oz. of medicinal herbs. The state overseas a limited medical dispensary system which requires vertical integration (the dispensaries must grow everything they propose to sell). This mid-Atlantic state also offers ironclad protection for patients across the USA.
The 2018 medical sales amounted to $10 million, while the estimation for the year 2022 is $12 million.
CBD Oil Laws in Delaware
The usage of hemp-based CBD oil became legal in the Blue Hen State through the approval of the House Bill 385 in 2014. The bill enabled licensed institutions to cultivate industrial hemp for agricultural or academic research. However, it wasn’t until the endorsement of the Delaware Industrial Hemp Farming bill as well as the federal enactment of Farm Bill 2018 that Delawarean farmers were allowed to cultivate the crop commercially.
Conclusion
Adult-use marijuana is classified as Schedule I Drug in the Diamond State and carries a civil penalty for even possessing a single joint. However, the status quo is briskly changing with marijuana legalization proposal scheduled for the 150th Delaware General Assembly. Such legalization is projected to generate $67 million in revenue by the year 2022.
The state overseas a limited medical dispensary system, but offers ironclad protection for patients across the USA. Lastly, the ratification of the Delaware Industrial Hemp Farming bill has enabled Delawarean farmers to commercially cultivate the crop.
